We have been very busy in both the beginning and advanced photo classes. The beginning students just finished their photograms and are now working on their first shooting assignment. The photograms are terrific. I will be putting them up in the gallery in the next couple of weeks. The first shooting assignment is is about using good composition techniques and learning to print with filters for varying contrast. Many students have made their first contact sheets and have begun the filter tests. There are some really good looking negatives. We will be working on printing this assignment up until the end of the quarter. Then we will be exploring the creative controls-shutter speed/motion and aperture/depth of field. Next week we will begin to study the history of photography. Here is an early (1847) daguerreotype by Gustave Oehme and a contemporary one (2008) of Kate Moss taken by Chuck Close. Students just got done researching some old photographic processes and finding contemporary artists who are working in them now. The Early History slideshow we saw in class is below.
In advanced photography, students are finishing up the multiple perspective assignment and their own personal work. They have also each been assigned a photoshop "task" that they will create and then teach to the rest of the class.
Posted on the blog are some images by photographers Robert and Shana Parkeharrison and the Starn Brothers. Both of these teams are so interesting, I think. Their work is beautiful and compelling. I am hoping the advanced students, in particular, get inspired by these artists as we move into self portraits.
